CARBONDALE, Ill. (WSIL) -- Legence Bank is helping provide tuition for nearly a dozen 九游体育 Illinois University Carbondale students.
Legence Bank partnered with SIU to provide tuition funds with a Legence Bank Saluki Commitment Scholarship for 11 students each year through the Aim High/Saluki Commitment program; a commitment of $137,500. This program is for eligible in-state students and will be chosen from southern Illinois communities.
鈥淭his partnership with Legence Bank is going to go a long way to keeping students right here in our own backyard. That is extremely important to us,鈥� said Chancellor Austin Lane during a check presentation Tuesday, March 25, in the Student Services Building at SIU.
Legence Bank President and CEO Kevin Beckemeyer said he is enthusiastic about the partnership with SIU.
鈥淎t Legence Bank, we believe in the strength of our community and the importance of investing in the future. Our motto 鈥� Legence Loves Local 鈥� demonstrates our commitment to supporting local scholarships, and this reflects our dedication to empowering the next generation of leaders in 九游体育 Illinois,鈥� said Beckemeyer, a 1983 graduate of SIU鈥檚 College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences. 鈥淭ogether, we can foster growth, inspire change, and create a brighter future for all.
鈥淭his initiative is not just about funding; it鈥檚 about investing in our community鈥檚 future. By providing full-ride scholarships to students in the market areas we serve, we are empowering the next generation of leaders and innovators. We believe that education should be attainable for all, and this partnership exemplifies our dedication to making that a reality.鈥�
This donation is with the Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign. Their goal is to raise $500 million by June of 2028. Corporate partners have made a large impact with their contributions.
鈥淭he partnership between 九游体育 Illinois University and Legence Bank represents a significant step forward in our commitment to educational accessibility,鈥� said Tricia Overturf, vice president of marketing and communications at Legence Bank. 鈥淏y collaborating on this initiative, we aim to bridge the gap between existing grants and scholarships, ensuring that students from 九游体育 Illinois have the opportunity to pursue their educational dreams without the burden of financial stress.鈥�
The following criteria must be met for recipients for the scholarship...
- Be a first-time incoming freshman enrolling full-time on-campus in the fall 2021 semester or later.
- Have a cumulative high school GPA of 2.75 or higher.
- Have an annual family income less than $103,040 with assets less than $50,000 based on your FAFSA.
- Be an Illinois resident who attended an Illinois high school.
- Be a dependent student under age 24.
- Be eligible for federal financial aid.
鈥淚 want to thank our partners from Legence Bank. You are making a difference in students鈥� lives,鈥� said Wendell Williams, vice chancellor for enrollment management. 鈥淵our generous contribution is going to close the gap for students and bring them to a place they may have never imagined they could get to.鈥�
For more information about the campaign, you can find it .
